Agenda Item Wording:
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Fire Alarm System Replacement - Authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract to Jorgensen Company for the Manuel Hernandez Community Center fire alarm system replacement project in the amount of $32,400 and to appropriate $42,000 to the project from the General Fund.
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Agenda Date: 11/02/2026
Prepared by:
Bret Adams, Project Manager II, 713-4507; Bret.Adams@visalia.gov
Rebecca Keenan, Senior Civil Engineer, 713-4541; Rebecca.Keenan@visalia.gov
Christopher Crawford, City Engineer, 713-4331; Chris.Crawford@visalia.gov
Jason Huckleberry, Eng & Bldg. Director, 713-4495; Jason.Huckleberry@visalia.gov
Jason Glick, Parks & Recreation Director, 713-4042; Jason.Glick@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: City staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract to Jorgensen Company for the Manuel Hernandez Community Center fire alarm system replacement project in the amount of $32,400 and to appropriate $42,000 to the project from the General Fund.
Summary:
This project will replace the existing inoperable fire alarm system at the Manuel Hernandez Community Center with a modern system that conforms to current building codes.
On October 9th, 2026, the city engineering department received two (2) quotes for this project. Jorgensen Company submitted the lowest quote of $32,400. Staff recommends that the city council award the construction contract to Jorgensen Company in the amount of $32,400, and appropriate $42,000 to the project. The additional $9,600 will be used for staff time, permits, CEQA filing plus a 10% contingency.
Background Discussion:
The Manuel Hernandez Community Center fire alarm system failed suddenly on July 8th, 2026, placing the facility on fire watch. As efforts to repair the system proved unsuccessful, a scope of work for system replacement was developed via collaboration with the Recreation, Engineering and Building Safety Divisions. Upon review, the Finance department acknowledged the project’s urgency, permitting the Engineering division to forgo the standard RFB process and instead to circulate the scope of work among known vendors for acquisition of three quotes. Email requests were sent to six (6) vendors on September 18th requiring participation in a site visit on September 25th and setting the deadline to submit quotes for October 9th. The following details the quote solicitation scope of work, establishment of the low quote, quote cost analysis and the recommended construction award.
1. Quote solicitation scope of work: The solicitation for this project called for a lump sum amount which included all work related to replacement of the existing inoperable fire alarm system with a fully functional, nonproprietary and code compliant system.
2. Establishment of low quote: This solicitation specified that the method of selection would “be to the contractor which submitted the lowest quote which the City deems both responsive and responsible and complies with all the requirements described. For this project, Jorgensen Company submitted the low quote of $32,400.
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Table 1 |
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No |
Vendor |
Location |
Lump Sum Quote |
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1 |
Jorgensen Company |
Fresno, CA |
$32,400 |
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2 |
Pye Barker |
Fresno, CA |
$108,971 |
|
3 |
ie Systems |
Fresno, CA |
Declined to quote |
|
4 |
Everon Solution |
Visalia, CA |
Declined to quote |
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5 |
WiFieye |
Visalia, CA |
Declined to quote |
|
6 |
Valley Security and Alarm |
Fresno, CA |
Declined to quote |
The quote submitted by Jorgensen Company was reviewed and found to be in compliance with the city’s requirements. Jorgensen Company is a known vendor to the City of Visalia, having provided past service for facility fire alarms, fire sprinklers, fire extinguishers and kitchen hood fire suppression systems. Based on the submitted quote and past service, Jorgensen Company is the qualified low quote for the project.
3. Bid cost analysis: The lowest responsive quote from Jorgensen Company is $32,400 or 16% below the engineer’s estimate. The engineers estimate is $37,520.
4. Award recommendation: Based on review of the quotes, staff recommends award of the contract to Jorgensen Company in the amount of $32,400.
Fiscal Impact: Following is the updated budget estimate for this project, including award of the contract to Jorgensen Company. The Manuel Hernandez Community Center fire alarm system replacement project is currently not funded, therefore staff requests appropriation of required funds from the General Fund, as shown below.
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Table 3 - Manuel Hernandez Community Center Fire Alarm System Replacement Project |
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Project Budget |
$0 |
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Design |
Estimated Cost |
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Project management, drafting, etc. (city staff) |
$2,592 |
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CEQA filing |
$58 |
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Permits |
$1,115 |
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Design subtotal |
$3,765 |
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Construction |
Estimated Cost |
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Quoted amount (this award to Jorgensen Company) |
$32,400 |
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Construction Contingency (10%) |
$3,240 |
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Construction Management/inspection (city staff) |
$2,592 |
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Construction subtotal |
$38,232 |
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Total Estimated Cost |
$41,997 |
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Budget deficit: |
$41,997 |
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Appropriation Request |
$42,000 |
Prior Council Action: None
Alternatives: None recommended
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to authorize the City Manager to award the construction contract to Jorgensen Company for the Manuel Hernandez Community Center fire alarm system replacement project in the amount of $32,400 and approve the appropriation of $42,000 from the General Fund.
Environmental Assessment Status: Pending. The approval of the project will require environmental documentation pursuant to the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) to be completed by staff.
CEQA Review: The requested action would be considered exempt under Section 15301 of the state guidelines for the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA). A notice of exemption has been prepared for the project as section 15301 states that projects are exempted from CEQA if the project consists of the repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of facilities and mechanical equipment involving negligible or no expansion of existing use.
Deadline for Action: 11/02/2026
Attachments:
1. Vicinity map
2. Location map
3. Jorgensen Company ownership disclosure
4. Jorgensen Company contract
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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☐ Economic Vitality |
☒  Organizational Excellence |
☐ Fiscal Strength |
☒  Infrastructure & Growth |
☒  Quality of Life |